"These specials mean a lot in students' lives, including me," she said of some of the programs the district may be forced to lop to bridge an estimated $5.5 million budget gap. "Cutting these specials are making us upset and even mad."

Redmond told school leaders that music has been part of his life since he was in kindergarten, and that it would break his heart if they took it away from him.

"It has changed my life," said Redmond, who plays violin.

The panel also heard from several teachers who said the fine arts programs have earned the district national acclaim.

The emotional appeals came a few hours after Assemblymen Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara announced that Schenectady would be receiving a 7.7 percent increase in state education aid over last year, plus another $980,000 in so-called foundation aid that is primarily earmarked for urban schools.

Still, Schenectady is only at 54 percent of the foundation aid, which translates into $62 million annually that it should be receiving, cautioned Superintendent of Schools Larry Spring. "It cripples not only the school district, but it cripples the economic system of the city," Spring said.

He said the district's ongoing battle to get its fair share of state aid funding is more of a marathon than a sprint.